On the 7th of March 2021, a controversial referendum was held in Switzerland. The outcome was that Swiss citizens voted for a ban of full facial coverings in public, passing by 51.2% to 48.8%. This measure was popularised by the right-wing Swiss People’s Party (SVP) who campaigned with slogans such
Germany’s Super Election Year – What comes after Merkel?
The pandemic might have eclipsed some important upcoming political events, but with only six months left until the parliamentary elections to the German Bundestag, tension is mounting in Germany and amongst curious onlookers. The parliamentary elections on September 26th, 2021 will not only lead to a new parliament, but Germany
By UPF Webzine
Articles/Conflict/Interview/Magazine/Media/Middle East/Realities of Human Security/Security/UPF
To The Frontline and Beyond. Portraits of Swedish War Correspondents
PART 3: Niclas Hammarström & Magnus Falkehed In a new interview series, The Perspective sat down with four Swedish foreign correspondents to discuss the contrasting realities of peace and conflict, and their own thoughts on the clashes they cover. Parts 1 (Johan-Mathias Sommarström) and 2 (Terese Cristiansson) were published in
Meet the British Anti-Vaxxers
All names and locations in this article have been changed. The UK is among the countries hardest hit by Covid-19. Now, a herculean vaccination programme is bringing the end of the UK epidemic into view. But some still steadfastly refuse to take the jab. UPF Lund introduces the anti-vaxxers and
By UPF Webzine
Activism/Articles/Asia/Economics/Economy And Trade/Gender Equality/International Relations/UPF/Women
Fashion: Personal liberation in the west, a form of mass incarceration for the rest
One year ago during March 2020, fashion retail giants including the likes of H&M, Primark and Zara decided to retroactively cancel orders of clothing without paying for them. This had disastrous consequences for ready-made garment (RMG) workers in Bangladesh as many live subsistence-based due to meagre wages. This article looks
Is there a new Pink Tide on Latin America’s horizon?
In the early 2000s, a wave of left-wing politics swept through Latin America, the so-called Pink Tide. In the mid-2010s, it was countered by a conservative, right-wing political wave. However, in the last few years, we have witnessed reactions to the conservative movement, as left-leaning political leaders in the region
Women in Leadership – Barriers to female political representation
When you hear the word “political leader”, what comes to mind? A man in a suit? Despite significant gains in female representation in powerful roles, such as New Zealand’s Prime Minister Jacinda Arden, women remain dramatically underrepresented in political leadership positions. Of the world’s heads of state and government 93%
Modi, Money, and Market Deregulation: India’s farming protests
In August 2020, the Indian government made public their proposed new agricultural reform bills. These were met with anger from Indian farmers who, as a result, have been protesting peacefully since then. On January 26th 2021, these protests turned violent, subsequently gaining media attention and leaving many worldwide wondering; what
The Future of Democracy in Uganda
Two days after the polls closed on January 14th, the incumbent president Yoweri Museveni was declared the winner of the 2021 Ugandan election. According to the official statistics, the President received 59% of the votes. The main contender, Bobi Wine, fell short with just 35%. After a campaign consisting of
“Workers of the world, unite!” – A Look at Trade Unions in the EU
For many decades now, “workers” – or employees – have been organising themselves in unions in order to campaign for better working conditions. Today, trade unions are perceived by many as somewhat distant and top-down. It is sometimes unclear what their aims are and it can feel like they belong